The Life Of The Accomplished Italian Guitarist Mauro Giuliani
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Throughout his lifespan, Mauro Giuliani became an accomplished composer, guitarist, and acquainted himself with some of the highest figures of Austrian society. It is for this that he is still remembered today many years after his death. But the story of Giuliani begins in 1781.
Mauro Giuliani was born on July 27, 1781 in Bisceglie. Although this was the place of his birth, most recognize his childhood in Barletta as this is where he moved with his brother Nicola in his early life.
He became acquainted with music at a very early age. The first instrument he trained on was the cello, which many people do not understand that he never gave up throughout life. While it is not guaranteed, many believe he also studied the violin. Despite this, it was the guitar that really attracted Giuliani as he devoted himself to countless hours of practice.
Because of his high interest and enjoyment on the guitar, Giuliani picked up the instrument rather quickly. Although it is believed that he had training from teachers, it is unknown who the teachers would have been.
Fast-forwarding to later in life, he would go on to marry Maria Giuseppe del Monaco. The couple birthed a child in Barletta in 1801 and named the baby boy Michael. From then until 1806 is a bit shaky, but it is believed he was in Bologna and Trieste for brief stays.
It was the summer of 1806 where he really began to study counterpoint, cello and guitar in Italy. At this point in his life he decided to pick up and move to Vienna without his family. This is where he actually started a relationship with Fraulein Willmuth, whom he had another child with. They named their daughter Maria, who was born in 1807. He would end up having another daughter named Emilia in 1813.
Vienna proved to be a solid place for Giuliani as he truly became acquainted with the classical instrumental style people recognize him for today. It was not long before he was publishing countless compositions in the classical style and touring all over Europe. He quickly became a reputable image with great success. In fact, he was actually equal to the best of instrumentalists and composers active in the Austrian capital city in the beginning of the 19th century.
While he was a composer and played many instruments, it was his actions on the guitar that really defined him. The famous stature led to acquaintances with Rossini and Beethoven, as well as his cooperation with some of the best active concert musicians in Vienna. In 1813 he even played in an orchestra for the first performance of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.
1815 was a big year for Mauro Giuliani as he appeared with the pianist Johann Nepomuk Hummel, the violinist Joseph Mayseder and the cellist Joseph Merk in a number of concerts that became known as the Dukaten Concerte. In addition, he was also the official concert artist for the celebrations of the Congress in Vienna in 1815. All of this just added to his prominence in the city.
Despite great success in Vienna, he really did not have much success there as a composer. It was the help of Artaria who actually published a majority of his guitar pieces. In addition, Giuliani did have connections with other local publishers that dispersed his compositions throughout Europe.
While it is not exactly known why he left Vienna in 1819, many believe it was for financial reasons as his property and bank accounts were confiscated so that he could pay debtors. Upon leaving Vienna he returned to Italy where he spent time in Trieste and Venice. Finally settling in Rome he did bring his daughter Emilia with.
Between 1821 and 1826, his daughters Emilia and Maria became educated at a nunnery. Although Giuliani did not have much success in Rome, he focused a great deal of attention on his daughters. He did, however, publish a few compositions over the years.
In 1826 he performed in Portici in front of the Bourbon court. He actually began appearing frequently in duo concerts with his daughter Emilia, who was a tremendous classical guitarist herself. Sadly, Giuliani’s health began to taper toward the end of 1827 and he finally passed in Naples on May 8, 1829.
